Pelargonium plant named &#39;Pacpemarymex&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct flowering  Pelargonium  plant with big, double, and stable bi-colored flowers.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium peltatum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Pacpemarymex’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium peltatum known by the varietal name ‘Pacpemarymex’. The newvariety was discovered in a planned breeding program in Dresden, Germanyin the summer of 2012. The purpose of the breeding program was todevelop bi-colored, semi-double flowering Ivy pelargoniums (geraniums)with a stable flower pattern. The new variety is the result of acrossing a bulk of different genotypes to obtain big, double flowerswith a merlot-red color and good heat resistance. Cuttings from thepelargonium seedling with the best flowering characteristics and bestgrowth habit were grafted on ‘Pacshim’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,975) totransfer the pattern of bi-colored stripes. When the grafted tips thatflowered were also bi-colored, cuttings were made and plants of theresulting striped new variety were tested over two years. The moststable plant was chosen and named ‘Pacpemarymex.’

The new variety is similar to ‘Pacpemary’ (not yet patented) in trailinghabit, leaf size, and flower size. However, ‘Pacpemary’ only exhibitspurple-red (61A) colored petals, while ‘Pacpemarymex’ has bi-coloredpetals with white margins and purple-red (61A) colored stripes. The newvariety was first asexually reproduced in November of 2012 by cuttingsin Dresden, Germany. The new variety has been trial and field tested inDresden and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics andremain true to type through successive propagations.

The following characteristics further distinguish the new variety fromother pelargonium varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   Stable, bi-colored flowers;    -   Big, double flowers;    -   Strong vigor;    -   Good trailing habit;    -   All over season flowering; and    -   Good heat stability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

FIG. 1 illustrates an entire flowering plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions and carried out in a greenhouse fromwinter through summer in Dresden, Germany. The new variety was grown ina 19 cm pot, with treatment of Cycocel® 720 0.2% five times, and twopinchings. The readings and measurements were taken on a 9-month oldplant in a room with a window, but without direct sunlight or artificiallight. Color references are primarily to the 1995 edition of the R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

-   Plant:    -   -   Time to initiate roots (days, temperature).—About 21 days at            about 18-20° C.        -   Time to develop roots (days, temperature).—About 28 days at            about 18-20° C.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted            cutting.—About 12 weeks in a 12 cm container.        -   Type.—Ivy.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching roots.        -   Form.—Trailing.        -   Height from media surface to top of foliage.—25 cm.        -   Height from media surface to top of flowers.—34 cm.        -   Plant diameter.—55 cm.        -   Vigor.—Medium.        -   Strength (need for artificial support).—Long branches need            support in production.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.        -   Stem.—Main stem length: 55 cm. Diameter: 6 mm. Color: 148A.            Texture: Slightly rough. Pubescence: Light. Internode            length: 2.5 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: Primary: 20 cm. Secondary: 10 cm.            Diameter: Primary: 4 mm. Secondary: 3 mm. Internode length:            25 mm. Texture: Slightly rough. Pubescence: Light. Color:            144A.        -   Foliage.—Arrangement: Mainly opposite, sometimes alternate.            Stipules: Size: Length: 10 mm. Width: 7 mm. Color: 146A.            Zone: Location: 2 cm from margin. Color: 200B on young            leaves, but is lost after maturity. Size of leaf: Length:            3.5 cm. Width: 6 cm. Shape of leaf (generally): Ivy shaped.            Shape of apex: Cuneate. Shape of base: Closed and joined            together. Texture: Leathery. Aspect: Glossy. Margin type:            Lobed and entire. Pubescence: Upper surface: Very light.            Lower surface: Very light. Color: Young leaves: Upper            surface: 147A. Lower surface: 146A. Mature leaves: Upper            surface: 147A. Lower surface: 146A. Petiole: Length: 35 mm.            Diameter: 2 mm. Color: 144A. Veins: Venation type: Palmate.            Color: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface: 144A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Bud.—Stage of development when bud characteristics            determined: Before color appears. Shape of cluster:            Bell-shaped. Diameter of cluster: 3.5 cm. Number of buds per            cluster: 8. Shape of individual bud: Spindle-shaped to            round. Length of individual bud: 10 mm. Width of individual            bud: 6 mm.        -   Natural flowering season.—Spring until frost in moderate            climates.        -   Blooming habit.—Continuous, with early blooming.        -   Umbel diameter.—8 cm.        -   Umbel depth.—5 cm.        -   Borne.—Umbel, flowers on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.        -   Inflorescence position.—Above foliage.        -   Number of inflorescences per lateral branch.—About 3 at the            same time.        -   Lastingness of an individual flower.—6-10 days.        -   Florets.—Form: Flat. Number per umbel: 8. Diameter: 45 mm.            Depth: 25 mm.        -   Petals.—Color: Upper surface: Margin and stripes are 61A,            fading to approximately NN155C (2007 edition of the R.H.S.            Colour Chart) in between. Lower surface: Approximately            NN155C (2007 edition of the R.H.S. Colour Chart) with a            margin of 64B, more or less no stripes present. Shape:            Obovate. Length: 28 mm. Width: 17 mm. Apex shape: Round.            Base shape: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Number per            floret: 13. Texture: Velvety. Tonality from a distance:            Bi-colored merlot/white.        -   Petaloids.—Quantity: 1-2. Shape: Irregular. Color (Upper and            lower surface): 64B and approximately NN155C (2007 edition            of the R.H.S. Colour Chart). Length: 10 mm. Width: 4 mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 25 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: 144A.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 10 cm. Diameter: 3 mm. Texture: Sticky and            a little rough. Color: 144A.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Disease resistance.—Unknown.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Good heat stability.        -   Drought tolerance.—Medium.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number (per flower): 8. Filament: Length: 10 mm.            Color: Approximately NN155C (2007 edition of the R.H.S.            Colour Chart). Anthers: Shape: Elongated; short tube.            Length: 2 mm. Color: 187A. Pollen: Color: 171A. Amount:            Numerous.        -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 10 mm. Style: Length: 4 mm.            Color: Approximately NN155C (2007 edition of the R.H.S.            Colour Chart). Stigma: Shape: Actinomorphic, 5-6 parted.            Color: 187A. Size: 2 mm. Ovaries: Texture: Pubescence            present. Length: 4 mm. Width: 2 mm. Color: 147D.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pelargonium plantsubstantially as is herein described and illustrated.